Small much-branched shrub to 120 cm (45 in) tall. Twigs greenish, glabrous, angled, with decurrent lines from the nodes, often ending in a sharp point. Leaves alternate, simple, entire, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, sharp-pointed, 6-12 mm (0.25-0.5 in) long and 2-4 mm (0.08-0.16 in) wide; petiole usually with a swollen reddish base; stipules persistent, sharp-pointed, reddish-black. Flowers in clusters of usually 3 in leaf axils, sepals 5, petals 5, stamens usually 8, white, about 1 cm (0.4 in) across, blooming in Spring. Fruits reddish-yellow striated follicle about 5 mm (0.2 in) long.
Distribution: Southeastern Colorado, northeastern New Mexico, western Cimarron County Oklahoma, southward to near Lubbock, Texas.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, canyons, cliffs.
NWI status: none
Comment: Glossopetalon is from a Greek phrase meaning "tongue-petal", referring to the shape of the petals; planitierum refers to its habitat on the plains.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/10/99
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